DEERFIELD TWP. — With some 70 square miles to cover, as evidenced by rural surroundings at the Cumberland County 911 Communications center, county Fire Marshal Todd Bowen needed some additional equipment.

He accepted a $1,925 grant Thursday morning for exactly that.

The check from FM Global, a world-wide commercial property insurer, will go towards a new digital camera and supporting equipment.

She said the group awards funds nation-wide and a standard application is submitted. In 2010, $400,000 was awarded in fire prevention grants by FM Global.

Those awarded are based on need and amount requested and the organization offers financial support through their fire prevention program.

“Because we believe that the majority of fire can be prevented, FM Global is pleased to offer financial support to organizations working to combat fire,” read a statement on their website.

Locally, East Greenwich and Monroe townships received $3,000 and $1,700 respectively in fire prevention and technology grants.

“I didn’t shoot for the starts. I looked at their grant history and what the fire companies really needed,” said Bowen, who is also a full-time battalion chief with the Bridgeton Fire Department in addition to this volunteer position.

He applied for the grant on Feb. 17 and heard back in mid-May that his request stood out among the hundreds FM Global received.

The Cannon EOS Rebel T2i digital camera to be purchased with the grant will be used for investigating fire scenes.

Bowen said investigators on the eastern and western ends of the county will now have a camera on hand. The department will still have one “if something should happen to the other.”

When investigating and documenting evidence at a fire scene, “It’s the most important tool we have,” he said.

Bowen, at the request of fire chiefs outside of Bridgeton, Millville and Vineland, investigates suspicious fires.

His office went to this week’s fire in Seabreeze at the request of the state Fire Marshal’s office, who are now handling the investigation.

Bowen’s crew was asked to take photos of the scene as part of their investigative duties.

Emergency 911 Communications and Training Center Director James Matlock said his department is “on a very tight, shoe string budget” and this additional camera would assist in Bowen’s task.

Matlock also explained the process fire investigations could take.

A “cause of origin” request on the Seabreeze fire could progress to a full investigation with the State Police Arson Unit being called once the fire was deemed suspicious.

Freeholder Director Bill Whelan said the county Fire Marshal’s Office “does an outstanding job helping to identify and prosecute arson-relate fires within the rural townships of our county.

“We are thankful for FM Global for recognizing our county fire marshal’s effort and needs in awarding this grant.”